Vikings add Tom Johnson to defensive line mix

Posted by Josh Alper on March 20, 2014, 6:18 AM EDT

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The door to Kevin Williams‘ return to Minnesota may now be officially closed.

Tom Pelissero of USA Today reports that the Vikings have signed free agent defensive tackle Tom Johnson to go with Linval Joseph, Sharrif Floyd and Fred Evans at the position. While Williams’ return was always unlikely, it’s almost impossible to see it as a possibility when the team already has four defensive tackles pencilled into the depth chart.

Johnson has five sacks in 40 games for the Saints over the last three seasons, but wasn’t tendered a contract as a restricted free agent as he was an imperfect fit for the defense run by Rob Ryan in New Orleans. The Saints ran a 4-3 before Ryan arrived and the Vikings will be running a 4-3 under new coach Mike Zimmer, which should eliminate scheme concerns.

Pelissero reports that Johnson will make $845,000 in 2014 with playing time and performance incentives that can boost the total by $600,000 if Johnson hits them all.

We need to be extremely careful of losing too much Veteran leadership. Allen and Williams WERE the identity of the defense. Now who? Greenway? not! Smith? not Robison? nope. Great Defenses have always had an attitude and I just don’t see anyone on that side of the ball that is vocal enough to get them going.

Johnson is not young and hes not incredibly athletic. But hes only shown an incredible motor while with the Saints. I thought he was most helpful when he stayed in for a whole drive.

sadviking says:Mar 21, 2014 9:24 AM

jazz11001 says: Mar 20, 2014 9:01 PM

We need to be extremely careful of losing too much Veteran leadership. Allen and Williams WERE the identity of the defense. Now who? Greenway? not! Smith? not Robison? nope. Great Defenses have always had an attitude and I just don’t see anyone on that side of the ball that is vocal enough to get them going.